Grounding lug for armored cable and method

ABSTRACT

An external grounding arrangement for a fiber access terminal includes a lug extending through a housing of the terminal. The lug is connected to strength members of a fiber optic cable extending to the terminal by a clamp about the cable within the terminal and a rod extending from the clamp to the lug.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to fiber access terminals and more specifically to grounding device for fiber access terminals.

BACKGROUND

In the telecommunications industry, service is increasingly being extended to new and existing customers through optical fiber networks and cables. Armored optical fiber cables may be used when service is extended to areas where the cables may be subjected to environmental stresses or other physical damage. These armored cables may include longitudinal strength members running parallel to the optical fibers within the cable, providing protection against tension being exerted on the cable being transferred to the fibers. These strength members may be made from electrically transmissive materials, such as steel or other similar materials.

While these strength members protect the fibers within the armored cable, they can also provide a path for stray bursts of electrical energy to be transmitted through the optical network. These bursts can damage equipment to which the fibers may be connected or may injure technicians who may be working on the network. It is desirable that some path to ground be provided to aid the redirection or dissipation of this electrical energy.

SUMMARY

An external grounding arrangement for a fiber access terminal includes a lug extending through a housing of the terminal. The lug is connected to strength members of a fiber optic cable extending to the terminal by a clamp about the cable within the terminal and a rod extending from the clamp to the lug.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the invention and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a housing of a fiber optic terminal.

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the housing of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a first perspective view of a removable cover for use with the housing of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a second perspective view of the cover of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a fiber management insert for use within a fiber access terminal enclosure.

FIG. 6 is an end view of fiber management insert of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the fiber management insert of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the fiber management insert of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the housing for a fiber access terminal connected to a ground according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the housing of FIG. 9, with the fiber management insert of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the fiber management structure of FIG. 5, with a optical fiber cable.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a grounding lug mounted to a fiber optic cable for use with the housing of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the grounding lug and cable of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the grounding lug of FIG. 11, with a locking nut for mounting the lug to the housing of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the grounding lug of FIG. 11, with the ground bar, the set screw for clamping the ground bar and the o-ring removed.

FIG. 15 is a first perspective view of the grounding lug of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a second perspective view of the grounding lug of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the grounding lug of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a first end view of the grounding lug of FIG. 14.

FIG. 19 is a second end view of the grounding lug of FIG. 14.

FIG. 20 is a side cross-sectional view of the grounding lug of FIG. 14.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the cable clamp of FIG. 12 for mounting the grounding bar to the fiber optic cable, according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an end view of the cable clamp of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the cable clamp of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an alternative cable clamp for mounting the grounding bar to the fiber optic cable, according to the present invention.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of a ground sleeve, a crimp sleeve and the grounding bar of the cable clamp of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the ground sleeve and crimp sleeve of the cable clamp of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a first perspective view of the ground sleeve of the cable clamp of FIG. 24.

FIG. 28 is a second perspective view of the ground sleeve of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is an end view of the ground sleeve of FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is a side view of the ground sleeve of FIG. 27, including dashed lines to indicate hidden lines.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an alternative crimp sleeve for use with the cable clamp of FIG. 24.

FIG. 32 is an end view of the crimp sleeve of FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a side cross-sectional view of the crimp sleeve of FIG. 31.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a second alternative cable clamp for mounting the grounding bar to the fiber optic cable, according to the present invention, with a two piece grounding sleeve.

FIG. 35 is an end view of the cable clamp of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view of the cable clamp of FIG. 34.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a third alternative cable clamp for mounting the grounding bar to the fiber optic cable, according to the present invention.

FIG. 38 is an exploded perspective view of the cable clamp of FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 is a side cross-sectional view of the cable clamp of FIG. 37.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the compression insert of the cable clamp of FIG. 37.

FIG. 41 is a side view of the compression insert of FIG. 40.

FIG. 42 is a top view of the compression insert of FIG. 40.

FIG. 43 is an end view of the compression insert of FIG. 40.

FIG. 44 is a first perspective view of the split stud of the cable clamp of FIG. 37.

FIG. 45 is a second perspective view of the split stud of FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is a first side view of the split stud of FIG. 44.

FIG. 47 is a top view of the split stud of FIG. 44.

FIG. 48 is a second side view of the split stud of FIG. 44.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Fiber access terminals provide service providers with connections between fiber distribution cables and customer fiber drop cables. One fiber access terminal is shown in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/075,847, filed Mar. 8, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such terminals provide a mounting location for ruggedized fiber optic connectors which may be used to optically connect and protect ends of the distribution and drop fibers. Often these distribution cables include multiple strands of optical fiber within a central channel within an outer protective sheath. Additionally, such cables may include linear or longitudinal strength members extending parallel to the fibers to protect the fibers from damage due to tension. Often these strength members are made of a durable metallic material, such as steel, which can also transmit electrical pulses along the distribution cables.

It is desirable to provide a mounting location within the fiber access terminal to permit the strength members of the distribution cable to be secured to a housing of the terminal. It is also desirable to provide for dissipation or grounding of any electrical impulses transmitted along the strength member to avoid damage to telecommunications equipment or injury to technicians working on the equipment.

A fiber access terminal in accordance with the present invention includes a housing 10 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and a removable cover 26 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, housing 10 includes a body 12 with a top 14 and base 16. A cable entry 18 extends through base 16 into an interior 22. A plurality of openings 20 are provided for mounting of hardened or ruggedized fiber optic connectors (not shown). A flat 24 may include an opening 25 which may provide a mounting location for a grounding lug, as will be described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, removable cover 26 includes a body 28 with a top 30 and a base 32. Cover 26 defines an interior 34 which cooperates with interior 22 of housing 10 to enclose an interior space of the fiber access terminal. A sealing surface 38 extends about cover 26 adjacent an outer edge and cooperates with a corresponding sealing surface 40 of housing 10 to seal the cover 26 to housing 10 and prevent intrusion into the interior space.

A fiber management structure 42, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, may be placed within interior 24 of housing 10 and within the interior space of the fiber access terminal. Fiber management structure 42 may include a plurality of cable paths 44 on a second side 48 for directing individual fibers from the distribution cable to connectors mounted in openings 20. An opening 46 is included to permit access to a grounding lug mounted in flat 24 when structure 42 is positioned within housing 10. On a first side 56 of fiber management structure 42 is a distribution cable path 58 which is aligned with cable entry 18 when structure 42 is positioned within housing 10. Path 58 extends from a base end 54 toward to top end 52.

On first side 56, cable path 58 may include a pair of mounts 62 for securing a fiber device, such as a fanout or a splitter, to which the distribution cable extends and from which a plurality of individual fiber cables extend. Adjacent top end 52 are a plurality of cable paths 60 into the individual fiber cables are extended to transition from first side 56 to second side 48, possibly through passages 66. Openings 64 provide a path for these optical fiber cables to extend from cable paths 44 to connectors mounted within openings 20 of housing 10.

Referring now to FIG. 9, housing 10 includes a grounding lug 100 according to the present invention and a fiber distribution cable 102 extending through cable entry 18 into interior 24. A clamping area 108 is provided within cable entry 18 to clamp about an outer sheath 110 of cable 102 and secure the cable and the housing with respect to each other. Within the outer sheath 110 are one or more strength members and an inner sheath within which is a core 112 with one or more strands of optical fibers. The inner sheath and the strength members extend from cable entry 18 toward top 14 where they are held by a clamp 106. A grounding rod 104 extends between grounding lug 100 and clamp 106, and electrically connects the electrically conductive elements of cable 102 to lug 100.

FIG. 10 shows housing 10 with lug 100 in place and fiber management structure 42 positioned atop cable 102 within interior 24. An upper end of lug 100 is accessible through opening 46. First side 56 of structure 42 is positioned toward cable 102. However, fiber management structure 42 is typically loaded with cable 102 and individual fiber strands 70, as shown in FIG. 10A, prior to positioning within housing 10. Fibers 70 are routed from first side 56 to second side 48 and into cable paths 44. Also in FIG. 10A, a fanout 68 is mounted to mounts 62 to aid the breakout of the individual strands of fiber 70 from cable 102. A grommet 72 is positioned about cable 102 to block cable entry 18 and aid forming a seal between housing 10 and cover 26. A strain relief boot may also be positioned about cable 102 to help protect cable 102 from damage as it enters housing 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 11, during the preassembly and loading of fiber management structure 42 prior to positioning within housing 10, grounding rod 104 is also connected to clamp 106. Lug 100 preferably provides a flexible and adjustable manner of electrically and physically connecting to rod 104. Such a flexible arrangement may permit a greater ease of assembly. As space within the interior of the fiber access terminal may be constricted, positioning rod 104 beneath structure 42 is otherwise unused space is also desirable. Such a flexible connection arrangement is shown in FIG. 11. Lug 100 includes an opening 114 in an inner portion 116 of lug 100, opening 114 sized to slidably receive a distal end 126 of rod 104. Rod 104 may be positioned within opening 114 as needed to ensure that clamp 106 and cable 102 are properly positioned when fiber management structure 42 is positioned within housing 10.

A set screw 118 is included in an inner end of inner portion 116 and set screw 118 may be advanced within an axial opening of lug 100 to intersect with rod 104 in opening 114 and lock rod 104 into place. This permits the length of rod 104 between clamp 106 and lug 100 to be adjusted as needed to fit within housing 10. It is anticipated that clamp 106 may not always be precisely located with respect to other elements of the fiber access terminal and the length of rod 104 is preferably variable to match.

Lug 100 also includes an outer portion 120 which extends beyond housing 10. Outer portion 120 is threaded to receive a fastener such as a nut 131 to permit attachment of an exterior ground cable 130 (see FIG. 9). Between inner portion 116 and outer portion 120 of lug 100 is a central portion 122 which is of a greater diameter than an opening 132 in flat 24 through which lug 100 extends. An o-ring 124 fits within a recess 134 on an inner surface 136 and is drawn against an outer surface 140 of housing 10 when a nut 142 is advanced along threads of inner end 116.

Referring now also to FIGS. 12 and 13, a linear strength member 146 of cable 102 is shown extending from the outer sheathing 110 into clamp 106. Strength member 146 extends along an inner sheathing 144 about core or inner bundle 112. Strength members 146 may be made of an electrically conductive material, such as steel or other conductive materials. Inner sheathing 144 may also include some electrically conductive elements. Individual fibers 70 extend within core 112. A proximal end 128 of rod 104 is secured within clamp 106. Set screw 118 is received in an axial opening 148 which extends into opening 114. Central portion 122 may include wrench flats 150 to aid in assembly of lug 100 to housing 10.

FIGS. 14 to 20 show lug 100 removed from housing 10 and with nuts 131 and 142, and rod 104 removed. O-ring 124 has been removed from recess 134. Central portion 122 includes an outer surface 152 against which nut 131 secures ground cable 130 to ensure electrical contact between lug 100 and ground cable 130. Lug 100 is preferably made of good conductive material such as copper or a copper alloy, although other suitable conductive materials may be used.

Referring now FIGS. 21 to 23, clamp 106 includes an outer crimp sleeve 154 and an inner sleeve 156. Inner sleeve 156 includes a longitudinal fiber recess 158 which receives core 112 and inner sheath 144. A pair of strength member recesses 160 extend along recess 158 and receive strength members 146 of cable 102. An opening 162 receives distal end 126 of rod 104. Crimp sleeve 154 fits about inner sleeve 156 and is tightly crimped about inner sleeve 156 to bind or clamp the different elements within the various recesses or openings. Opening 162 may be threaded to improve grip about rod 104 and distal end 126 of rod 104 may also be threaded with mating threads. Recesses 160 and 158 may be grooved or threaded to improve the mechanical connection with strength members 146 and inner sheath 144, respectively. In addition to be securely mechanically connected to clamp 106, strength members 146 and also inner sheath 144 (if it includes electrically conductive elements) are electrically connected to clamp 106.

As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, recess 158 is sized to receive and crimp about inner sheathing 144. It is preferable that recess 158 not be compressed too tightly about sheathing 144 to ensure that none of the fibers 70 within core 112 are crimped. Any crimping or mechanical locking of sheath 144 to fibers 70 may damage the fibers.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 24 to 30, an inner sleeve 164 may include a longitudinal recess 166 to receive rod 104. With the exception of recess 166 extending through an outer surface 168 of inner sleeve 164, inner sleeves 164 and 156 are generally configured alike.

FIGS. 31 to 33 show crimp sleeve 154 in an uncrimped state and including an opening 172 within which an inner sleeve is received. An inner surface 174 within opening 172 may be compressed closely about the inner sleeve and different components which may be with recesses of the inner sleeve.

FIGS. 34 to 36 show clamp 106 within an alternative inner sleeve arrangement including a pair of identical sleeve halves 176. Each sleeve half 176 includes a longitudinal recess 178 for receiving inner sheath 144, a longitudinal recess 180 for receiving strength member 146 and a longitudinal recess 182 for receiving rod 104. Any or all of these recesses may be threaded, knurled or include some other surface pattern or texture to improve mechanical grip with respect to the components received within them.

FIGS. 37 to 39 show an alternative clamp 206 including a split lug 208, a compression insert 210 and a nut 212. Nut 212 threads about external threads 214 of split lug 208 and insert 210 is received within a split 216 defined by split lug 208. Distal end 126 of rod 104 is received within an opening 218 which may be threaded to improve mechanical grip between lug 208 and rod 104. Distal end 126 of rod 104 may also be threaded to engage the threads within opening 218.

FIGS. 40 to 43 show compression insert 210 with an upper portion 220 including curved end surfaces 222. Upper portion 220 fits within nut 212 and curved end surfaces are generally matched to the curvature of threads 214, though defining a slightly smaller diameter so as not to interfere with advancement of nut 212 along threads 214. A lower portion 224 includes a pair of engagement surfaces 226 which nut 212 engages as the nut is advanced along threads 214. Opposite engagement surfaces 226 is a recess 228 for receiving inner sheath 144 and core 112. Along recess 228 are a pair of shoulders 230 which cooperate with corresponding shoulders within split 216 to clamp about strength members 146 and also to prevent over compression of core 112 which may damage fibers 70.

FIGS. 44 to 48 illustrate split lug 208 with a pair of arms 232 extending from a base 234 to define split 216. Base 234 closes a bottom end of split 216 opposite an open top end 244. Within split 216 is a core recess 236 flanked by a pair of shoulders 238. Shoulders 238 cooperate within shoulders 230 of compression insert 210 to both clamp tightly about strength members 146 but also prevent over compression of core 112 within the combined cores recesses 228 and 236. As shown, recess 236 may be threaded or otherwise provided with a surface pattern or texture to improve mechanical linkage with core 112 without over compression of core 112. Similarly, recess 228 of compression insert 210 may also be threaded or provided with a surface pattern or texture to improve mechanical linkage with core 112 without over compression of core 112. Opening 218 in base 234 receives rod 104 and may be threaded as shown. Base 234 also may include a pair of wrench flats 242 to aid in assembly.

The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. 

1. A grounding lug for a fiber access terminal comprising: a shaft having a first end, a second end and a central portion; the first end including external threads, a transverse rod opening extending through the first end and an axial opening extending from a distal end of the first end toward the central portion and extending to the transverse opening, the axial opening including threads; a screw insertable within the axial opening and engageable with the threads of the axial opening; a first nut threadably mountable to the external threads of the first end; the second end including external threads and a second nut threadably mounted to the external threads of the second end; the central portion defining an enlarged region extending radially outwardly relative to the first and second ends and defining first and second shoulders; the first shoulder positioned toward the first end and including a recess and a seal ring positioned within the recess, the first shoulder providing a clamping surface opposing the first nut so that an object positioned about the first end would be urged toward the seal ring by advancing the first nut along the external threads of the first end; the second shoulder positioned toward the second end and providing a clamping surface opposing the second nut, so that an object positioned about the second end would be urged toward the second shoulder by advancing the second nut along the external threads of the second end.
 2. The grounding lug of claim 1, wherein the screw within the axial opening is a cap head screw defining a diameter small enough to permit the first nut to be removed or placed onto the external threads of the first end over the screw.
 3. The grounding lug of claim 2, wherein an outermost end of the screw includes a recess for engaging a tool.
 4. The grounding lug of claim 1, wherein the external threads of the first end define a greater diameter than the external threads of the second end.
 5. The grounding lug of claim 1, wherein the rod opening extends through the first end and through the external threads of the first end and the first nut can be advanced over the rod opening.
 6. The grounding lug of claim 1, wherein the central portion includes a pair of opposing wrench flats. 